Safety ski binding

ABSTRACT

Safety ski binding includes a rigid base plate member disposable between a sole member of a ski boot and a ski member. A locking device manually releasably connects the base plate member to one of the other members, and other locking devices automatically releasably connects the base plate member to the other of the other members. The other locking devices include respective spring-loaded locking elements mutually opposing one another in longitudinal direction of the ski member. The locking devices are received in one of the members, the locking members overlying a reduced part of the one member wherein both locking devices are received. Coupling elements cooperating with the locking elements at the reduced part of the one member extend substantially perpendicularly from another of the members and have respective surfaces facing toward the locking elements. The surfaces extend transversely to the longitudinal direction of the ski member and are curved with respect to a common center of curvature.

ilnite States Patent 1 Witting [451 Oct. 9, 1973 SAFETY SKI BINDING [76] Inventor: Gerhard Witting,Clemensstrasse [52] US. Cl. 280/11.35 K, 280/11.35 N [51] Int. Cl. A630 9/08 [58] Field of Search 280/1 1.35

[56] References Cited UNlTED STATES PATENTS 2,846,232 8/1958 Schnell 280/1 1.35 T 3,061,325 10/1962 Glass 280/1 1.35 D 3,198,537 8/1965 Silberman 280/1 1.35 C 3,258,274 6/1966 Beecher 280/1 1.35 T 3,350,110 10/1967 Salomon 280/l1.35 H 3,430,971 3/1969 Berlenbach 280/1 1.35 T

3,448,989 6/1969 I Marker 280/1 1.35 N 3,489,424 1/1970 Gertsch et a1 280/1 1.35 K 3,606,368 9/1971 Smolka et a1. 280/1 1.35 D

FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 1,355,083 2/1964 France 280/1 L35 K l,803,954 9/1969 Germany 280/1 1.35 D

268,189 8/1950 Switzerland 280/1 1.35 K

444,735 2/1968 Switzerland 280/1 1.35 K

Primary ExaminerLeo Friaglia Assistant Examiner-Milton L. Smith Attorney-Curt M. Avery, Arthur E. Wilfond, Herbert L. Lerner and Daniel J. Tick 57 ABSTRACT Safety ski binding includes a rigid base plate member disposable between a sole member of a ski boot and a ski member. A locking device manually releasably connects the base plate member to one of the other members, and other locking devices automatically releasably connects the base plate member to the other of the other members. The other locking devices include respective spring-loaded locking elements mutually opposing one another in longitudinal direction of the ski member. The locking devices are received in one of the members, the locking members overlying a reduced part of the one member wherein both locking devices are received. Coupling elements cooperating with the locking elements at the reduced part of the one member extend substantially perpendicularly from another of the members and have respective surfaces facing toward the locking elements. The surfaces extend transversely to the longitudinal direction of the ski member and are curved with respect to a common center of curvature.

23 Claims, 15 Drawing Figures .llllln PATENTED BET 91975 SHEET 1 BF 7 PATENTED DU 9 I975 SHEET l UF 7 Fi .4b

PATENTEB URI 9 I975 SHEET 5 OF 7 PATENTEDBET elm 3,764,154 SHEET BUF 7 SAFETY SKI BINDING My invention relates to safety ski devices and, more particularly, to such ski bindings which release the connection between the ski boot and the ski when the retaining forces exceed given maximum values, for example, in a fall of the skier, so as to prevent thereby fracturing of any of the bones of the skier.

Such safety ski bindings are already known in many different embodiments. They generally include two structural members which are located forward of and behind the location of the ski at which the ski boot is attached and clamp therebetween the sole'of the ski boot. At least one of the two structural members includes elements that are yieldable or releasable under the action of the retaining forces and by means of which the ski boot can be automatically freed. For the desired connection of the ski boot and the ski and for the release of the ski boot from the ski, tye yieldable or releasable elements of at least one of the two structural members are manually actuable or are capable of being raised together with parts of the structural member away from the sole of the ski boot. Such known safety ski bindings have the disadvantage that they are exposed to all of the influences of water, ice, snowand dirt, and these influences continually alter the intensity of the forces necessary for the releasing action so that the bindings often open too soon or too late. Moreover, the releasing forces in the heretofore known safety ski bindings are influenced or affected to a great extent by the friction of the sole of the ski boot against the ski and the structural members. There has also been no success with the heretofore known safety ski bindings in freeing or releasing the ski boot, similarly just below the fracture limit of the leg bone, upon the occurrence of slow twisting falls, in which the ski boot tends to swing laterally away from the ski, and upon the accurrence of short, intense jolts or impacts. Moreover, the servicing of the known safety ski bindings is greatly impeded by the fact that for the desired locking and releasing of the binding, there must be manipulation by hand of the structural members generally with the employment of considerable forces.

The latter disadvantage is at least partly eliminated in a safety ski binding that has become known wherein the ski boot is firmly connected by a long thong or strap in a conventional manner, to a base plate that is located between the sole of the ski boot and the ski and has substantially the outline of the sole. The base plate is, in turn, clamped between two structural members fastened to the ski forward of and behind the ski boot and contains locking devices. In the event the retaining forces are exceeded, the base plate together with the ski boot are freed or released. For the desired releasing and closing of the binding, the long thong or belt is used, the base plate remaining clamped between the structural members at the ski. With respect to the uncertainty of the releasing action, this known safety ski binding, however, has the same disadvantages as the other known bindings.

It is accordingly an object of my invention to provide safety ski binding whose releasing forces are accurately of an attractive construction. Another object of my invention is to provide such binding which is readily serviceable at the desired releasing and opening of the binding.

With the foregoing and other objects in view, I protually opposing one another in longitudinal direction of the ski member, the first and the second locking means being received in one of the members, the locking elements overlying a reduced part of the one member wherein the first and the second locking means are received, coupling elements cooperating with the locking elements at the reduced part of the one member, the coupling elements extending substantially perpendicularly from another of the members and having respective surfaces facing toward the locking elements, the surfaces extending transversely to the longitudinal di rection of the ski member and being curved with respect to a common center of curvature. At best, both locking means are located substantially in the longitudinal central plane of the sole, the base plate or the ski, while the center of curvature of the curved surfaces of the coupling elements is located in the heel region of the ski boot.

By the insertion of the two locking devices in the sole, the base plate or the ski, the locking devices in the safety ski binding of my invention are greatly protected from the affects of snow, ice and dirt. The locking devices can be constructed as fully closed and sealed units, because only the locking elements thereof must project outwardly, and these, in turn, are protected from outside affects by the coupling elements extending in front of the locking elements. The result thereof is that the releasing forces of the safety ski binding of the invention always remain the same under all circumstances and for falls in all directions once these releasing forces have been set or adjusted. By the bending of the surfaces of the coupling elements toward the locking elements about a common center of curvature located in the heel region of the ski boot, in accordance with another feature of my invention, accurate guidance of the ski boot for twisting falls is achieved so that the influence or affect of varying frictional forces between both of the parts being mutually released are widely eliminated. The affect of the frictional forces is further reduced, in accordance with an added feature of my invention, by providing friction-reducing layers of plastic material at the opposing contact surfaces of both parts that are normally connected to one another by the locking device.

In accordance with further features of the safety ski binding of my invention, the base plate remains at the sole of the ski boot or at the ski when the binding is released. The devices which serve for opening and closing the ski binding manually, connect the base plate to the ski in the first case, and the sole to the base plate in the second case. The safety ski binding according to my invention accordingly has the advantage that the location forward of and behind the ski boot is not stressed by the locking devices which are released when a fall occurs, so that the devices for manually releasing and closing can be constructed, for example, as simple slide rails which are fastened on the ski or on the base plate behind the heel and in front of the toe of the boot, and at the base plate engage over projecting tongues or the edge of the sole. The desired opening and closing of the binding then occurs through a simple swinging or transverse movement of the shoe or boot in the plane of the ski. For arresting or locking purposes, a simple snap or catch member is provided, according to my invention, which is actuable by means of a ski stock. In its entirety, an exceptionally favorable optical impression is obtained because the slide rails are the only visible parts and these can have relatively small dimensions.

In accordance with a preferred embodiment of my invention, I provide a cylindrical housing surrounding each of the locking devices, and a compression spring disposed in the housing, the compression spring being biased against a respective one of the lockingelements, the one locking element extending out of the housing at one end thereof and being displaceably guidable in longitudinal direction in the housing. To adjust the spring tension and the releasing forces therewith, l provide in accordance with an additional feature of my invention, safety ski binding wherein the housing is closed at the other end thereof, and including a springtension adjusting screw at the closed end of the housing, the compression spring being in abutting engagement with the adjusting screw. By means of this construction, the locking device can be sealed especially effectively against snow, dirt and ice. Moreover, the locking devices have very small dimensions so that, for example, the sole of a ski boot wherein the locking devices are received, is not thicker than is the case for the heretofore conventional ski boots. By means of the adjusting screw, the spring tension is adjusted once to the required individual value for the user of the respective ski binding. After the installation of the locking devices in the sole, the base plate or the ski, the adjusting screw is no longer accessible. This has the great advantage that the adjustment of the spring tension and the releasing forces cannot be changed, especially increased, by the user to his disadvantage. Instead of an individual adjustment of the adjusting screw, in accordance with another feature of-the invention, I also provide springs with different spring tension adjusted to the respective user, and the adjusting screws are always screwed to the same position into the housing of the locking device.

In accordance with another feature of my invention, the locking element of that locking means which is actuated when a twisting fall of the skieroccu'rs, is supported by a shock absorber mounted in the housing of the locking means. The advantage derived therefrom is that the safety ski binding of my invention, for abrupt or intermittent loads of only very short duration in directions which occur with a twisting fall, is released sooner for a higher releasing force than for slowtwisting falls of longer duration. This takes the circumstance into account that the leg bones are capable of sustaining a load, for example, of 25 kilopond for a brief period whereas for loads of longer duration, for example, they can withstand only 18 kilopond.

If a roller is employed as locking element, in accordance with a further feature of my invention, it is best mounted at the head of a hollow piston which is'displaceable in the housing of the locking device. The roller at forward locking means in the travel direction of the ski has a rotary axis extending perpendicularly to the plane of the member containing the locking devices, the periphery of a portion of the length of the roller being of a frustoconical construction. The forward coupling element is formed with a recess for receiving the roller therein, the recess being defined by an inclined wall complementary to the shape of the roller. With such construction of the safety ski binding, in addition to the fact that it is releasable when twisting falls occur, it is also releasable when a so-called backwards fall occurs, the roller then sliding along the inclined wall of the coupling element. 7

In accordance with an added feature of the invention, the locking element is in the form ofa ball which is supported at a seat which is formed by an inwardly directed edge of the housing of the respective locking device, the edge being inwardly bent or reinforced. ln locking devices having a ball as the locking element, according to the invention, the housing of the forward locking means is provided with a cut-out or notch for the ball in the vicinity of the seat, the edge of the notch extending along one section in a transverse plane inclined with respect to the longitudinal direction of the ski, and the remainder of the edge extending in a vertical transverse plane. In connection with a forward coupling element having a curved surface facing the ball and inclined complementary to the inclined section of the edge there is produced an embodiment of the safety ski binding of my invention which, in fact, is not released in the event of so-called backward falls of the skier which occur very seldom and which are relatively un-dangerous, whereby an especially good guidance of the ski is afforded. The cutout or recess of the housing of the locking means furthermore provides the advantagethat the ball has half of its diameter available for the lift or stroke.

It is particularly desirable, in accordance with my invention, to construct the rear coupling element in the travel direction of the ski as a round pin. The pin provides together with therear locking element, a virtually friction free center of rotation through the action of which, frictional forces at the forward edge of the base plate or the sole of the ski boot, are virtually completely avoided during twisting falls of the skier. If the rear locking element in the travel direction of the ski tends to lift from the pin when force is transmitted to the ski, the force can be diverted virtually friction-free by an annular disc to the pin, the annular disc in accordance with my invention, being disposed at the housing of the rear locking devices parallel to the plane of the member containing the locking devices and extending outwardly above the locking element and surrounding the pin when the locking device is locked.

In the heretofore known safety ski bindings, a socalled safety line is generally provided through which the ski, even after the release of the safety ski binding, when a fall occurs, remains connected to the leg of the skier. In accordance with a further feature of the safety ski binding of my invention, the safety line is wound on a winding device comprising a drum and a spindle spring and which is received between the locking device in the member containing the locking devices. The free end of the safety line is secured to the member carrying the coupling element. With this additional feature the advantage is attained that the safety line is protected and is installed without disturbance and only upon the release of the ski binding, for example, by a fall of the skier, becomes visible at all. Instead of the winding device, further in accordance with a feature of the invention, a tubular housing for receiving the safety line is disposed laterally adjacent the locking devices. The safety line is then yieldingly retained in the tubular housing by means of a helical spring surrounding the safety line. This construction has the advantage that the tubular housing for the safety line can serve simultaneously for rigidly connecting both locking devices to one another. Rigid connection of both locking devices to one another is advantageous in that the releasing conditions can not be effected at all by bending of the member containing the locking devices.

Other features which are considered as characteristic for the invention are set forth in the appended claims.

Although the invention is illustrated and described herein as embodied in safety ski binding, it is nevertheless not intended to be limited to the details shown, since various modifications and structural changes may be made therein without departing from the spirit of the invention and within the scope and range of equivalents of the claims. 4

The construction and method of operation of the invention, however, together with additional objects and advantages thereof will be best understood from the following description of specific embodiments when read in connection with the accompanying drawings, in

which:

FIGS. la and lb are diagrammatic elevational and plan views, respectively, of a ski boot bound to a ski by the safety ski binding of my invention and showing in phantom various positions of the ski boot shortly after release of the ski binding;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of FIGS. Ia and lb with the ski omitted and showing the safety ski binding in disconnected or separated condition;

FIGS. 3a, 3b and 3c taken together constitute an enlarged longitudinal sectional view in vertical plane of the safety ski binding of FIG. 2 in interlocked condition;

FIGS. 4a, 4b and 4c taken together constitute an enlarged longitudinal sectional view in horizontal plane of the safety ski binding of FIGS. 3a, 3b and 3c;

FIG. 5 is an enlarged plan view of the devices for fastening the base plate of the embodiment of FIG. 2 to a ski;

FIG. 6 is a sectional view of FIG. 5 taken along the line VI--VI in the direction of the arrows;

FIG. 7 is a sectional view of FIG. 5 taken along the line VII-VII in the direction of the arrows;

FIG. 8 is a longitudinal sectional view in vertical plane of another embodiment of the safety ski binding;

FIG. 9 is a top plan view, partly broken away, of the sole of the ski boot shown in FIG. 8; and

FIG. 10 is a fragmentary top plan view ofa modification of the safety ski binding shown in FIGS. 8 and 9.

Referring now to the drawings and first particularly to FIGS. 2, 3a to 3c and 4a to 40, there are shown two locking devices 6 and 26 that are inserted into a base plate 3 which has the outline or contour substantially of the sole 1 of a ski boot SI. Coupling members 5 and 25, which cooperate with the locking devices 6 and 26, extend vertically downwardly from the sole 1 of the ski boot 51. At the forward and rear ends of the base plate 3, projecting tongues 52 and. 53 are provided which serve to bind the base plate 3 to a ski 50 (FIGS. Ia and lb) in a manner to be described more fully hereinafter.

The locking members of the locking devices 6 and 26 are formed by rollers 8 and 29, respectively. The roller 8 extends above the tongue 52 beyond the leading edge 56 of the base plate 3 at the forward locking device 6. as viewed in the direction of travel of the ski. The roller 29 of the rear locking device 26 extends into a recess 57 formed in the base plate 3.

The coupling member 5 cooperating with the forward roller 8 is in the form of an appendage extending at the leading edge of the sole 1, transversely across the width thereof and having a surface that faces the roller 8. The coupling member 5 is arcuate in shape and has a center of curvature located in the region of the heel of the ski boot and in fact, in the axis of a pin having a circular cross section which forms the rear coupling member 25 which cooperates with the roller 29.

In the base plate 3, there is located between both locking devices 6 and 26, a winding device 39 which tends to wind up by spring action a safety line or rope 62 which leads to the sole 1 and is secured with a free end thereof by means ofa fastening plate 61 to the sole 1.

Details of the safety ski binding of my invention are shown in FIGS. 3a to Sc and 4a to 40. The base plate 3 is rigid and is formed, for example, of metal. It is coated on the underside thereof with an outsole 24 of rubber. At the surface of the appendage 5 facing downwardly toward the sole plate 3, a strip 2 of plastic material is provided which, in the locked condition of the binding, engages a strip 4 of plastic material mounted on the tongue 52 of the base plate 3.

The forward locking device 6 includes a cylindrical housing 22 closed at the end thereof, facing away from the roller 8,. as seen in FIG. 3a. In the housing 22, a hollow piston 7 is provided at the head thereof, with cheeks between which the rollers 8 are mounted so as to be rotatable about a vertical shaft 9. The hollow piston 7 is guided by set screws II that are inserted in the wall of the housing 22 and extend into slots 10 formed in the hollow piston 7. A helical compression spring 19 inserted into the housing 22 and surrounded by the hollow piston 7 tends to bias the hollow piston 7 and the roller 8 in forward direction, i.e., toward the left-hand side of FIGS. 3a and 4a. The helical compression spring 19 is supported or braced through the intermediary of a washer 20 against a sealingly inserted closure cover 15 of a shock-absorber cylinder 12 filled with oil 18. The shock-absorber cylinder 12 in turn abuts an adjust-- ing screw 21 which is axially threaded in the housing 22. A piston 13 formed with axially extending grooves at the edge thereof for the displaced oil, is mounted in the shock-absorber cylinder 12 on a piston rod 17 which has a free end secured to the head of the hollow piston 7 by a cotter or split pin 14'. By the insertion of an O-ring 16 in the closure cover 15, the piston rod 17 is sealed and guided. An O-ring 16a surrounding the head of the hollow piston 7 protects the locking device 6 against intrusion of snow, dirt and the like.

The roller 8 is bevelled in frustoconical form at the periphery and at both sides thereof in axial direction and is engaged in a cavity 58 formed in the arcuate surface of the appendage 5 facing toward the roller 8. The cavity 58 is defined by a wall 59 which is inclined complementary toward the lower frustoconical bevel of the roller 8 as viewed in FIG. 3a. The leading or forward edge 56 of the base plate 3 has an arcuate shape corresponding to that of the appendage 5.

The rear locking device 26 also includes a cylindrical housing 23 closed at the end thereof facing away from the roller 29 and provided with a hollow piston 27 displaceably guided therein. The hollow piston 27, like the hollow piston 7, is guided by set screws 31 received in slots 30 formed in the wall of the piston 27, and is also loaded by a helical compression spring 32 inserted therein. The spring 32 is introduced between the closed head of the hollow piston 27 and a disc or washer 33 which abuts an adjusting screw 34 axially threaded in the housing 23. As in the case of the forward locking device 6, the roller 29 is rotatably mounted between two cheeks extending from the head of the hollow piston 27, however, in this case, the shaft 28 about which the roller 29 is rotatable, extends horizontally as viewed in FIG. 30. The roller 29 is of cylindrical construction and engages in an annular groove 60 formed on a pin 25 having walls that are inclined to accommodate or fit the diameter of the roller 29. At a free end 63 of the pin 25, it tapers frustoconically. The recess 57 (FIG. 2) formed in the base plate 3 for receiving the pin 25 therein is of such width that the pin 25 is guided laterally with a matching fit.

Both locking devices 6 and 26 are inserted interchangeably into corresponding recesses formed in the base plate 3 and are secured in position therein by means of lateral extensions 55 on the respective housings thereof, as well as by countersunk tongues 54.

The winding device 39 for the safety line 62 is disposed in a recess formed in the base plate 3 and includes a cover disc 35 which is secured by screws 37 to the base plate 3. A vertically disposed shaft 36, as viewed in FIG. 3b, is welded to the cover disc 35, and a cable or line drum 38 is rotatably mounted with a cover plate 40. A spiral spring 42 engages the line drum 38 through a firmly attached bushing 41 and tends to wind up the safety line 62 on the drum 38. The spiral spring 42 is suspended in a slot formed in the bushing 41 and in a recess 43 (FIG. 4b) formed in the base plate 3. Two plates with slide rails 48 and 49 are screwed to the ski 50 as shown in FIGS. and 6 to bind the base plate 3 to the ski. The forward slide rail 48 in travel direction of the ski is L-shaped in cross section with a vertically extending portion 65 and a horizontal portion 66 which extends over the forward tongue 52 of the base plate 3. The rear slide rail 49 is of a corresponding shape; however, in the vertically extending portion thereof a wide recess 67 is left free in order to permit the insertion of the rail tongue 53 of the base plate 3 at an inclined angle from the side. Both slide rails are curved transversely to the longitudinal direction of the ski in accordance with the curvature of the tongues 52 and 53.

For laterally holding thebase plate, the rear slide rail 49 is closed off at both ends, and the forward slide rail 48 is closed off at one end while a latch or snap member 68 is provided at the other end of the forward slide rear 48 and includes a locking bar 69 which laterally engages the tongue 52 under the action of a spring 70 and is releasable by actuation, for example, by the ski stock or stick.

With regard to FIGS. and 1b, the operation of the embodiment of the invention described hereinbefore is as follows. In the position of use. the base plate 3 with the tongues 52 and 53 thereof inserted in the slide rails 48 and 49, respectively, is thereby fastened to the ski 50. The rollers of both locking devices 6 and 26 are locked in the coupling elements 5 and 25 at the sole 1 of the ski boot 51, the compression springs of the locking devices thereby acting upon the rollers with opposing and outwardly directed forces.

In the event of a fall by the skier, the boot 51 with the sole 1 is loosened from the base plate 3. In the event of a fall backwards in direction of the arrow 45 as well as sidewards in direction of the arrows 46 and 47, the forward locking device 6 is primarily actuated. In the case ofa fall backwards, the inclined wall 59 slides along the recess 58 at the frusto-conical periphery of roller when the retaining force of the compression spring is exceeded and the roller 8 can thereby give way so that the appendage or projection 5 is finally freed. In the event of a twisting fall by the skier, lateral forces act toward the left or right on the sole. If these forces exceed a value determined by the compression spring, the roller of the forward locking device gives way and rolls laterally away on the curved surface of the appendage 5. Accordingly, both strips 2 and 4 of plastic material slide on one another and permit a slight turning of the sole about a rotary axis extending through the pin 25, which is held by the roller 29 of the rear locking device 26. In the case of a forward fall in direction of the arrow 44, the rear locking device is actuated. Accord ingly, the forward locking device with the roller thereof locked therein acts like a hinge while the pin 25 is loosened from its locking engagement with the roller 29,. the roller 29 being forced out of the annular groove 60 of the pin 25 against the biasing action of the compression spring 32.

When the ski boot is to be coupled once again th base plate remaining attached to the ski, one follows a reverse sequence of the steps that occur in the event of a forward fall. Accordingly, the appendage or projection 5 is pressed against the roller of the forward locking device while the pin 25 with the frusto-conical surface 63 at the free end thereof remains on the roller of the rear locking device. Due to the skiers body weight, the pin 25 is then forced with the annular groove thereof into the locking position with the roller 29. Whenever the sole 1 is loosened from the base plate 3, the safety line is unwound from the line drum 38. Conversely, when the sole 1 is bound to the base plate 3, the safety line 62 is rewound automatically on the drum 38 by the spiral spring 42.

In the embodiment of FIGS. 8 and 9, two locking devices 106 and 113 are received in the sole 123 of a ski boot, while the coupling elements cooperating with the locking devices extend substantially vertically upwardly at a base plate 124 formed of metal and are in the form of an appendage or projection 135 and a pin 119, respectively. The fastening of the base plate to the ski is effected by the same means as in the aforedescribed embodiments.

The projection 135 which extends over the entire width of the base plate 124 is formed of one integral member having an end portion 101 which is welded to the forward end of the base plate 124. In a corresponding manner, the pin 119 is formed of an integral member having an end portion 122 which is welded to the rear end of the base plate 124. In the region between both end portions, the underside of the base plate 124 is covered with an outsole 125 of rubber or the like.

The locking devices 106 and 113 in the sole 123 respectively include, as in the aforedescribed embodiments, a cylindrical housing 140, 141 closed atone end thereof by an adjusting screw 142, 143 and having an open end with an inwardly reinforced or thickened edge 109 forming a seat for a ball 136, 137 which serves as a locking element. The housing 140 of the forward locking device contains a helical compression spring 138 which loads the ball 136, while the housing 141 of the rear locking device contains a plate spring packet 139 which loads or exerts pressure on the ball 137. The spring-loading of the balls 136 and 137 is adjustable by adjusting screws 142 and 143, respectively. Alternatively, spring that are prefabricated for a speeific loading can also be used and, depending upon the need, are then inserted or interchanged in the housing. The screws 142 and 143 thus serve solely as locking screws. A

Both locking devices 106 and 113 are located in the central axis of the sole 123. The housings thereof have lateral annular projections 107 and 114 by means of which the locking devices are rigidly connected to a tubular housing 110 located in the sole laterally adjacent the locking devices. The tubular housing 110 serves for receiving a safety line 112 and a helical compression spring 11 surrounding the safety line. At the rear locking device 113, the safety line 112 is inserted through rounded-out opening in a cover 130 into the tube 110 and, with a reinforcement 115 at the free end-thereof, for example, with a knot, and the intermediary of a washer 131, is yieldably braced by the helical spring 111 against the cover 130. The tubular housing 110 is of such diametrical dimension that it provides a reinforcement of the sole 123 formed, for example, by extruding or injection-molding a plastic material around the locking devices and the tubular housing. When the sole is made of plastic material, nonillustrated recesses that are closeable by stoppers are left free to permit access to the screws 142 and 143.

The forward locking device 106 is formed with a section 108 at the seat of the ball 136, the section 108 having an edge which in the lower half thereof extends in the transverse plane inclined at an angle of about 45 and in the upper part extends in a vertical transverse plane. The surface of the projection 135, which faces the ball 136 extending out of the sole at the forward edge thereof, is curved in transverse direction about a center of curvature which is located in the axis of the pin 119. At the curved surface of the projection 135, the latter is provided with two cams 102 which are triangular in shape, as seen in the plane view of FIG. 9, the cams 102 defining therebetween a recess or cavity for receiving therein the part of the ball 136 which projects from the sole 123. The wall 103 at the underside of the cams 102 is inclined complementary to the inclined section 109 of the end edge of the housing 140. A strip 105 of plastic material is mounted on the upper side of the projection 135 as viewed in FIG. 8. In the vicinity of the ball seat, the housing 140 passes in transverse direction into a wide upper guide rail 133 and a somewhat narrower lower guide rail 134. The upper guide rail 133 is connected by screws 104 to the ski boot and lies on top of the plastic strip 105 when the ski binding of the invention is in locked condition.

The ball 137 of the rail locking device is supported about its entire periphery and extends only about 2 mm beyond the open end of the housing 141. An annular disc 116 is mounted at the housing 141 so that it stands away to the rear thereof, the annular disc 116 being secured by screws 117 to the ski boot. The annular disc 116 is disposed parallel to the plane of the sole so that the center of the ball 137 is disposed in the plane of the upper inner edge thereof. At the undersurface of the sole, below the seat for the ball 137, the housing 141 is provided with a bearing or contact surface 137 of raised form.

The ball 137 and the annular disc 116 cooperate with the pin 119. The pin 119 widens toward the free end 126 thereof and has a diameter at the free end which corresponds to the inner diameter of the annular disc 116. In detail, the pin 119 is provided at the periphery of the side thereof facing the ball 137 with a substantially vertical, as viewed in FIG. 8, partly cylindrical surface 128. At both sides of the pin 119 adjacent the partly cylindrical surface 128 thereof, there are provided vertical flat surfaces 132. On the side of the pin 119 facing away from the ball 137 there is provided an inclined, partly cylindrical surface 118. The arrangement and shape of the pin 119 is accordingly such that the upper inner edge of the annular disc 116, in locked condition, firmly abuts the surface 118 and the ball 137 projecting out of the housing thereof.

The pin 119 is provided with a central longitudinal bore 129 having graduated diameters, the safety line 112 being inserted in the longitudinal bore 129 from the rounded-out upper end thereof and anchored therein by means of a knot 120. The longitudinal bore 129 is closed at the lower end thereof,as viewed in FIG.

8, by a stopper 121. Above the annulardisc 116, the sole is provided with a nonillustrated recess for receiving the pin 119, the recess opening toward the rear edge of the sole.

When a twisting fall of the skier occurs, the forward locking device 106 is actuated in substantially the same manner as described with regard to the first-mentioned embodiment of my invention. All the forces occurring thereby in the forward direction are diverted through the annular disc 116 and the pin 119 and, consequently, completely shielded from the forward locking device 106, so that for the release thereof the lateral forces are exclusively determining. This absolutely ensures that the forward locking device 106, under all conditions, will always free or release the coupling element, i.e., the projection 135,for the same releasing force.

When a forward fall of the skier occurs, the annular disc 116 at the rear locking device 113 can only slide upwardly along the inclined partly-cylindrical surface 118 of the pin 119 when the ball 137 is entirely forced inwardly. This again occurs only when the force preapplied through the plate spring packet 139 in the rear locking device 113 is exceeded. When a forward fall occurs, exceptionally large forces are produced which can be as high as kiloponds and must be diverted in the region of the heel of the ski boot to the base plate 124. The structure of the pin 119 with the inclined partly cylindrical surface 118 and its cooperation with the annular disc 116 consequently ensures that the base plate 124 does not bend upwardly at the rear end thereof under the influence 0d the large forces. Because of this it is essential that the annular disc 116, during a forward fall of the skier, must overcome the obstruction of the inclined surface 118 at the rear side of the pin 119, while the ball 137 can move vertically upwardly without obstruction. Accordingly, a diversion of the direction of applied forces is produced at an upward and forward inclination. All of the forces occurring in this direction are readily absorbed by the pin 119 and are transmitted to the holder mounted at the ski. The compressive forces occurring due to the fact that the ball 137 is driven back are absorbed by the annular disc 116.

If the sole of the ski boot must again be locked at the base plate after release of the safety ski binding, the embodiment shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, it is only necessary that the ski boot, with the annular disc 116, be disposed substantially at a right angle to the base plate 124 which remains at the ski, so that the ball 137 of the rear locking device 113 comes into abutment with one of the flat surfaces 132 of the pin 119. The annular disc 116 can then be placed over the pin 119 without any exertion of force.

This arrangement is very simple due to the fastening of the safety line 112 to the pin 119 because the safety line tightens the ski boot to such an extent that the annular disc 116 engages the pin 119. In fact, for locking or uncoupling, the ski boot is then turned simply about an angle of about 90 in direction toward the forward projection 135 until the ball 136 of the forward locking device 106 locks between the cams 102 of the projection 135. With this movement, all of the snow which is accumulated on the base plate 124 as well as at the projection 135 and at the forward locking device 106 is advantageously forced laterally outward. Additional cleaning of the sole and the base plate is completely unnecessary. Snow that may have penetrated into the opening of the annular disc 116 and the recess in the sole located thereabove is again forced out therefrom through the recess opening outwardly toward the edge of the sole when the annular disc 116 is stuck into the pin 119.

The upward sliding of the annular disc 116 at the inclined surface 118 of the pin 119 is facilitated even more by a modification of the annular disc 166., shown in FIG. 10. The annular disc 166 is formed of a substantially U-shaped structural member 168 which is fastened by the crosspiece thereof to the rear locking device 113 or formed as an integral part of the housing 141. A roller 169 is rotatably mounted between the legs of the U-shaped structural member 168 at the ends of those legs. The roller 169 has a concave profile corresponding to the selected inner diameter of the annular disc 166. In locked condition, the roller 169 engages the inclined surface 118 of the pin 119 and, in the event ofa forward fall of the skier, rolls along the surface 118 in an upward direction. The modification of the annular disc 166 according to FIG. 10 has the advantage, moreover, that only the roller 169 must be formed of a hard relatively heavy material whereas the housing 141 and the U-shaped structural member 168 can be formed, for example, of a light alloy.

A safety ski binding according to the invention can also be constructed so that two locking devices with respective locking elements facing one another are inserted, for example, in the sole of a ski boot, both of which cooperating with a pin of relatively large diameter which is fastened to the base plate and acts as the coupling element. The peripheral surface of the pin is provided with a dish-shaped recess for a ball-shaped locking element of the locking device which faces backwardly with the locking element,and for the ball of the other locking device the pin 119 is provided with a groove which occupies a section of the periphery of the pin 119. Both locking devices are connected to one another by rigid frame whose inner dimensions correspond accurately to the diameter of the pin 119.

In another modification, there is provided as the rear coupling element a segment-like part of a cylindrical disc whose cylindrical surface faces the rear locking device and has a groove extending in the peripheral direction thereof for the locking element thereof. The surface of the forward coupling element facing the forward locking device is then curved in transverse direction about the center of the cylindrical disc. Furthermore, it is possible to combine the housings of both locking device into a single longer tubular housing whereby in a most simple manner a rigid connection of the two locking devices is realized.

The embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive property is claimed are defined as follows:

1. Safety ski binding comprising a rigid base plate member disposable between a sole member of a ski boot and a ski member, first locking means manually releasably connecting said base plate member to one of said other members and second locking means automatically releasably connecting said base plate member to the other of said other members, said first locking means including at least two manually engageable elements located respectively on said base plate member and said one of said other members, said second Iocking means including respective spring-loaded locking elements mutually opposing one another in longitudinal direction of said ski member, said second locking means being received in one of said base plate and said other of said other members, at least one of said locking elements extending into a recessed space forming a reduced part of said one member wherein said second locking means are received, coupling elements cooperating with said locking elements wherein said locking means are received, said coupling elements extending substantially perpendicularly from the other of said base plate and said other of said other members and having respective surfaces facing toward said locking elements, said surfaces extending transversely to said longitudinal direction of said ski member and being curved with respect to a common center of curvature, said second locking means including at least one cylindrical housing, and a compression spring disposed in said housing, said compression spring being biased against a respective one of said locking elements, said one locking element extending out of said housing at one end thereof and being displaceably guidable in longitudinal direction in said housing, said housing being in forward position in travel direction of said ski member and including a hollow piston displaceably disposed in said housing, said locking element being mounted on a head of said hollow piston, said housing being closed at the other end thereof and including a spring-tension adjusting screw at said closed end of said housing, said compression spring being in abutment with said adjusting screw, a shock absorber cylinder disposed in said housing between said compression spring and said adjusting screw, said shock absorber cylinder being filled with oil and closed by a closure cover, a piston rod secured to said hollow piston of said forward locking means and being sealingly guided through said closure cover, said piston rod having at the free end thereof within said shock absorber cylinder, a shock absorber piston formed with axial grooves.

2. Safety ski binding according to claim 1,-wherein said coupling element comprises an appendage extending across the entire width of the member carrying said coupling element, said appendage being formed with a cavity in the middle thereof for accommodating said locking element therein.

3. Safety ski binding according to claim 2, wherein said cavity is defined by a pair of substantially triangular cams projecting from said appendage.

4. Safety ski binding according to claim 2 wherein said locking element comprises a roller mounted on a pivot shaft, said pivot shaft extending perpendicularly to the plane of the member wherein said locking means are located, said roller having a peripheral frustoconical shape along a part of the length thereof, said cavity formed in said appendage beind defined by an inclined wall complementary to the shape of said roller for accommodating said roller in said cavity.

5. Safety ski binding according to claim 2, wherein said locking element is .a ball supported on a seat formed by an inwardly directed edge of the housing, said housing being formed with a cutout in a region of said seat, said cutout being defined by an edge having a section thereof extending in a plane inclined to the longitudinal direction of said ski member and having a remaining section extending in a vertical transverse plane, said appendage having a curved surface facing said ball, said curved surface being inclined complementarily to said inclined section of said edge of said cutout.

6. Safety ski binding according to claim 5, including a pair of mutually parallel guide rails mounted on said housing of said forward locking means and enclosing the respective locking element therebetween, said guide rails extending transversely across the width of said member containing said locking means, said guide rails having an extension wider than said appendage cooperating with said locking means, said extension overlapping said appendage. elements 7. Safety ski binding comprising a rigid base plate member disposable between a sole member of a ski boot and a ski member, first locking means manually releasably connecting said base plate member to one of said other members and second locking means auto matically releasably connecting said base plate member to the other of said other members, said first locking means including at least two manually engageable elements located respectively on said base plate member and said one of said other members, said second locking means including respective spring-loaded locking elements mutually opposing one another in longitudinal direction of said ski member, said second locking means being received in one of said base plate and said other of said other members, at least one of said locking elements extending into a recessed space forming a reduced part of said one member wherein said second locking means are received, coupling elements cooperating with said locking elements wherein said locking means are received, said coupling elements extending substantially perpendicularly from the other of said base plate and said other of said other members and having respective surfaces facing toward said locking elements, said surfaces extending transversely to said longitudinal direction of said dki ski and being curved with respect to a common center of curvature, said secnd locking means including at least one cylindrical housing, and a compression spring disposed in said housing, said compression spring being biased against a respective one of said locking elements, said one locking element extending out of said housing at one end thereof and being displaceably guidable in longitudinal direction in said housing, a hollow piston diplaceably disposed in said housing, said one locking element comprising a roller mounted on a head of said hollow piston, one of said coupling elements having the form of a pin.

8. Safety ski binding comprising a rigid base plate member disposable between a sole member of a ski boot and a ski member first locking means manually releasably connecting said base plate member to one of said other members and second locking means automatically releasably connecting said base plate member to the other of said other members, said first locking means including at least two manually engageable elements located respectively on said base plate member and said one of said other members, said second locking means including respective spring-loaded locking elements mutually opposing one another in longitudinal direction of said ski member, said second locking means being received in one of said base plate and said other of said other members, at least one of said locking elements extending into a recessed space forming a reduced part of said one member wherein said second locking means are received, coupling elements cooperating with said locking elements wherein said locking means are received, said coupling elements extending substantially perpendicularly from the other' of said base plate and said other of said other members and having respective surfaces facing toward said locking elements, said surfaces extending transversely to said longitudinal direction of said ski member and being curved with respect to a common center ofcurvature, said second locking means including at least one cylindrical housing, and a compression spring disposed in said housng, said compression spring being biased against a respective one of said locking elements, said one locking element extending out of said housing at one end thereof and being displaceably guidable in iongitudinal direction in said housing, a hollow piston displaceably disposed in said housing, said one locking element comprising a roller mounted on a head of said hollow piston, said coupling elements including a coupling element located in a forward part of the ski member and a coupling element located in a rearward part of the ski member, said rearward located coupling member being a pin.

9. Safety ski binding according to claim 8, wherein said roller is mounted on a pivot shaft,said pivot shaft extending parallel to the plane of the member wherein said locking means are located, said roller cooperating with a pin having a circular cross section and formed with an annular groove having inclined walls between which said roller is receivable.

10. Safety ski binding according to claim 9, wherein said pin tapers frustoconically to a free end thereof.

11. Safety ski binding according to claim 8, including an annular disc mounted at the housing, said annular disc extending parallel to the plane of the member wherein said locking means are contained and extending beyond the respective locking element of said rear locking means, said annular disc, in locked condition of said rear locking means, surrounding said pin.

12. Safety ski binding according to claim 11, wherein a side of the periphery of said pin facing toward the locking element has a partly cylindrical surface extending perpendicularly to the plane of the member containing said locking means, said pin also having vertical flat surfaces located laterally adjacent said partly cylindrical surface, said pin also having on the side opposite said part-cylindrical surface another part-cylindrical surface inclined so that the diameter of said pin is greatest at said free end thereof and corresponds to the inner diameter of said annular disc.

13. Safety ski binding according to claim 12, wherein said annular disc is disposed in a plane of contact of the respective locking element and said pin, and the diameter of said pin in said plane of contact corresponds to the inner diameter of said annular disc reduced by the lift of the respective locking element.

14. Safety ski binding according to claim 12, wherein said annular disc comprises a substantially U-shaped structural member mounted at the cross piece thereof to the housing, a roller having a concave profile corresponding substantially to the inner diameter of said annular disc being rotatably mounted between the legs of said U-shaped structural member at the ends thereof.

15. Safety ski binding comprising a rigid base plate member disposable between a sole member of a ski boot and a ski member, first locking means manually releasably connecting said base plate member to one of said other members and second locking means automatically releasably connecting said base plate member to the other of said other members, said first locking means including at least two manually engageable elements located respectively on said base plate member and said one of said other members, said second locking means including respective spring-loaded locking elements mutually opposing one another in longitudinal direction of said ski member, said second locking means being received in one of said base plate and said other of said other members, at least one of said locking elements extending into a recess space forming a reduced part of said one member wherein said second locking means are received, coupling elements cooperating with said locking elements wherein said locking means are received, said coupling elements extending substantially perpendicularly from the other of said base plate and said other of said other members and having respective surfaces facing toward said locking elements, said surfaces extending transversely to said longitudinal direction of said ski member and being curved with respect to a common center of curvature, and a winding device for a safety line, including a drum and a spiral spring, inserted in said member containing said second locking means, said safety line having a free end secured to said member carrying said coupling elements.

16. Safety ski binding comprising a rigid base plate member disposable between a sole member of a ski boot and a ski member, first locking means manually releasably connecting said base plate member to one of said other members and second locking means automatically releasably connecting said base plate member to the other of said other members, said first locking means including at least two manually engageable elements located respectively on said base plate member and said one of said other members, said second locking means including respective spring-loaded locking elements mutually opposing one another in longitudinal direction of said ski member, said second locking means being received in one of said base plate and said other of said other members, at least one of said locking elements extending into a recessed space forming a reduced part of said one member wherein said second locking means are received, coupling elements cooperating with said locking elements wherein said locking means are received, said coupling elements extending substantially perpendicularly from the other of said base plate and said other of said other members and having respective surfaces facing toward said locking elements, said surfaces extending transversely to said longitudinal direction of said ski member and being curved with respect to a common center of curvature, and a tubular housing for receiving a safety line being located laterally adjacent said second locking means in said member containing said second locking means, said safety line being yieldably maintained in said tubular housing by a helical spring surrounding said safety line, said safety line having a free end secured to said member carrying said coupling elements.

17. Safety ski binding according to claim 16, wherein a pin serves as rear coupling element in travel direction of said ski member, said pin being formed with a central longitudinal bore and having a free end, said free end of said safety line extending into said bore of said pin though said free end of said pin and being anchored in said bore.

18. Safety ski binding according to claim 16, said second locking means including at least one cylindrical housing, and a compression spring disposed in said housing, said compression spring being biased against a respective one of said locking elements, said one locking element extending out of said housing at one end thereof and being displaceably guidable in longitudinal direction in said housing, and including annular projections extending laterally from the housings of both of said locking means, said annular projections being connected to said tubular housing for said safety line.

19. Safety ski binding according to claim 18, wherein said tubular housing is constructed and dimensioned as a reinforcing element for said sole member.

20. Safety ski binding according to claim 18, wherein said tubular housing is constructed and dimensioned as a reinforcing element for said base plate member.

21. Safety ski binding comprising a rigid base plate member disposable between a sole member of a ski boot and a ski member, first locking means manually releasably connecting said base plate member to one of said other members and second locking means automatically releasably connecting said base plate member to the other of said other members, said first locking means including at least two manually engageable elements located respectively on said base plate member and said one of said other members, said second locking means including respective spring-loaded locking elements mutually opposing one another 'in longitudinal direction of said ski member, said second locking means being received in one of said base plate and said other of said other members, at least one of said locking elements extending into a recessed space forming a reduced part of said one member wherein said second locking means are received, coupling elements cooperating with said locking elements wherein said locking means are received, said coupling elements extending substantially perpendicularly from the other of said base plate and said other of said other members and having respective surfaces facing toward said locking elements, said surfaces extending transversely to said longitudinal direction of said ski member and being curved with respect to a common center of curvature, said second locking means being contained in said sole member, and said base plate being formed of metal and being covered with an outsole formed of rubber.

22. Safety ski binding comprising a rigid base plate member disposable between a sole member of a ski boot and a ski member, first locking means manually releasably connecting said base plate member to one of said other members and second locking means automatically releasably connecting said base plate member to the other of said other members, said first locking means including at least two manually engageable elements located respectively on said base plate member and said one of said other members, said second locking means including respective spring-loaded locking elements mutually opposing one another in longitudinal direction of said ski member, said second locking means being received in one of said base plate and said other of said other members, at least one of said locking elements extending into a recessed space forming v a reduced part of said one member wherein said second locking means are received, coupling elements cooperating with said locking elements wherein said locking means are received, said coupling elements extending substantially perpendicularly from the other of said base plate and said other of said other members and having respective surfaces facing toward said locking elements, said surfaces extending transversely to said longitudinal direction of said ski member and being curved with respect to a common center of curvature, said second locking means being contained in said sole member, and said base plate being formed of metal and being covered with an outsole formedof rubber, said sole being formed with a recess located above said annular disc and opening toward the rear edge of said sole.

23. Safety ski binding comprising a rigid base plate member disposable-between a sole member of a ski boot and a ski member, first locking means manually releasably connecting said base plate member to one of said other members and second locking means automatically releasably connecting said base plate member to the other of said other members, said first locking means including at least two manually engageable elements located respectively on said base plate member and said one of said other members, said second locking means including respective spring-loaded locking elements mutually opposing one another in longitudinal direction of said ski member, said second locking means being received in one of said base plate and said other of said other members, at least one of said locking elements extending into a recessed space forming a reduced part of said one member wherein said second locking means are received, coupling elements cooperating with said locking elements, wherein said locking means are recieved, said coupling elements extending substantially perpendicularly from the other of said base plate and said other of said other members and having respective surfaces facing toward said locking elements, said surfaces extending transversely to said longitudinal direction of said ski member and being curved with respect to a common center of curvature, and including slide rails for manually releasably connecting said base plate member to said ski member, said slide rails being fastened to said ski and overlapping a tongue on said base plate. 

1. Safety ski binding comprising a rigid base plate member disposable between a sole member of a ski boot and a ski member, first locking means manually releasably connecting said base plate member to one of said other members and second locking means automatically releasably connecting said base plate member to the other of said other members, said first locking means including at least two manually engageable elements located respectively on said base plate member and said one of said other members, said second locking means including respective springloaded locking elements mutually opposing one another in longitudinal direction of said ski member, said second locking means being received in one of said base plate and said other of said other members, at least one of said locking elements extending into a recessed space forming a reduced part of said one member wherein said second locking means are received, coupling elements cooperating with said locking elements wherein said locking means are received, said coupling elements extending substantially perpendicularly from the other of said base plate and said other of said other members and having respective surfaces facing toward said locking elements, said surfaces extending transversely to said longitudinal direction of said ski member and being curved with respect to a common center of curvature, said second locking means including at least one cylindrical housing, and a compression spring disposed in said housing, said compression spring being biased against a respective one of said locking elements, said one locking element extending out of said housing at one end thereof and being displaceably guidable in longitudinal direction in said housing, said housing being in forward position in travel direction of said ski member and including a hollow piston displaceably disposed in said housing, said locking element being mounted on a Head of said hollow piston, said housing being closed at the other end thereof and including a spring-tension adjusting screw at said closed end of said housing, said compression spring being in abutment with said adjusting screw, a shock absorber cylinder disposed in said housing between said compression spring and said adjusting screw, said shock absorber cylinder being filled with oil and closed by a closure cover, a piston rod secured to said hollow piston of said forward locking means and being sealingly guided through said closure cover, said piston rod having at the free end thereof within said shock absorber cylinder, a shock absorber piston formed with axial grooves.
 2. Safety ski binding according to claim 1, wherein said coupling element comprises an appendage extending across the entire width of the member carrying said coupling element, said appendage being formed with a cavity in the middle thereof for accommodating said locking element therein.
 3. Safety ski binding according to claim 2, wherein said cavity is defined by a pair of substantially triangular cams projecting from said appendage.
 4. Safety ski binding according to claim 2 wherein said locking element comprises a roller mounted on a pivot shaft, said pivot shaft extending perpendicularly to the plane of the member wherein said locking means are located, said roller having a peripheral frustoconical shape along a part of the length thereof, said cavity formed in said appendage beind defined by an inclined wall complementary to the shape of said roller for accommodating said roller in said cavity.
 5. Safety ski binding according to claim 2, wherein said locking element is a ball supported on a seat formed by an inwardly directed edge of the housing, said housing being formed with a cutout in a region of said seat, said cutout being defined by an edge having a section thereof extending in a plane inclined to the longitudinal direction of said ski member and having a remaining section extending in a vertical transverse plane, said appendage having a curved surface facing said ball, said curved surface being inclined complementarily to said inclined section of said edge of said cutout.
 6. Safety ski binding according to claim 5, including a pair of mutually parallel guide rails mounted on said housing of said forward locking means and enclosing the respective locking element therebetween, said guide rails extending transversely across the width of said member containing said locking means, said guide rails having an extension wider than said appendage cooperating with said locking means, said extension overlapping said appendage.
 7. Safety ski binding comprising a rigid base plate member disposable between a sole member of a ski boot and a ski member, first locking means manually releasably connecting said base plate member to one of said other members and second locking means automatically releasably connecting said base plate member to the other of said other members, said first locking means including at least two manually engageable elements located respectively on said base plate member and said one of said other members, said second locking means including respective spring-loaded locking elements mutually opposing one another in longitudinal direction of said ski member, said second locking means being received in one of said base plate and said other of said other members, at least one of said locking elements extending into a recessed space forming a reduced part of said one member wherein said second locking means are received, coupling elements cooperating with said locking elements wherein said locking means are received, said coupling elements extending substantially perpendicularly from the other of said base plate and said other of said other members and having respective surfaces facing toward said locking elements, said surfaces extending transversely to said longitudinal direction of said ski and being curved with respect to a common center of curvature, said second lOcking means including at least one cylindrical housing, and a compression spring disposed in said housing, said compression spring being biased against a respective one of said locking elements, said one locking element extending out of said housing at one end thereof and being displaceably guidable in longitudinal direction in said housing, a hollow piston displaceably disposed in said housing, said one locking element comprising a roller mounted on a head of said hollow piston, one of said coupling elements having the form of a pin.
 8. Safety ski binding comprising a rigid base plate member disposable between a sole member of a ski boot and a ski member , first locking means manually releasably connecting said base plate member to one of said other members and second locking means automatically releasably connecting said base plate member to the other of said other members, said first locking means including at least two manually engageable elements located respectively on said base plate member and said one of said other members, said second locking means including respective spring-loaded locking elements mutually opposing one another in longitudinal direction of said ski member, said second locking means being received in one of said base plate and said other of said other members, at least one of said locking elements extending into a recessed space forming a reduced part of said one member wherein said second locking means are received, coupling elements cooperating with said locking elements wherein said locking means are received, said coupling elements extending substantially perpendicularly from the other of said base plate and said other of said other members and having respective surfaces facing toward said locking elements, said surfaces extending transversely to said longitudinal direction of said ski member and being curved with respect to a common center of curvature, said second locking means including at least one cylindrical housing, and a compression spring disposed in said housng, said compression spring being biased against a respective one of said locking elements, said one locking element extending out of said housing at one end thereof and being displaceably guidable in longitudinal direction in said housing, a hollow piston displaceably disposed in said housing, said one locking element comprising a roller mounted on a head of said hollow piston, said coupling elements including a coupling element located in a forward part of the ski member and a coupling element located in a rearward part of the ski member, said rearward located coupling member being a pin.
 9. Safety ski binding according to claim 8, wherein said roller is mounted on a pivot shaft, said pivot shaft extending parallel to the plane of the member wherein said locking means are located, said roller cooperating with a pin having a circular cross section and formed with an annular groove having inclined walls between which said roller is receivable.
 10. Safety ski binding according to claim 9, wherein said pin tapers frustoconically to a free end thereof.
 11. Safety ski binding according to claim 8, including an annular disc mounted at the housing, said annular disc extending parallel to the plane of the member wherein said locking means are contained and extending beyond the respective locking element of said rear locking means, said annular disc, in locked condition of said rear locking means, surrounding said pin.
 12. Safety ski binding according to claim 11, wherein a side of the periphery of said pin facing toward the locking element has a partly cylindrical surface extending perpendicularly to the plane of the member containing said locking means, said pin also having vertical flat surfaces located laterally adjacent said partly cylindrical surface, said pin also having on the side opposite said part-cylindrical surface another part-cylindrical surface inclined so that the diameter of said pin is greatest at said free end thereof and corresponds to the inner diametEr of said annular disc.
 13. Safety ski binding according to claim 12, wherein said annular disc is disposed in a plane of contact of the respective locking element and said pin, and the diameter of said pin in said plane of contact corresponds to the inner diameter of said annular disc reduced by the lift of the respective locking element.
 14. Safety ski binding according to claim 12, wherein said annular disc comprises a substantially U-shaped structural member mounted at the cross piece thereof to the housing, a roller having a concave profile corresponding substantially to the inner diameter of said annular disc being rotatably mounted between the legs of said U-shaped structural member at the ends thereof.
 15. Safety ski binding comprising a rigid base plate member disposable between a sole member of a ski boot and a ski member, first locking means manually releasably connecting said base plate member to one of said other members and second locking means automatically releasably connecting said base plate member to the other of said other members, said first locking means including at least two manually engageable elements located respectively on said base plate member and said one of said other members, said second locking means including respective spring-loaded locking elements mutually opposing one another in longitudinal direction of said ski member, said second locking means being received in one of said base plate and said other of said other members, at least one of said locking elements extending into a recessed space forming a reduced part of said one member wherein said second locking means are received, coupling elements cooperating with said locking elements wherein said locking means are received, said coupling elements extending substantially perpendicularly from the other of said base plate and said other of said other members and having respective surfaces facing toward said locking elements, said surfaces extending transversely to said longitudinal direction of said ski member and being curved with respect to a common center of curvature, and a winding device for a safety line, including a drum and a spiral spring, inserted in said member containing said second locking means, said safety line having a free end secured to said member carrying said coupling elements.
 16. Safety ski binding comprising a rigid base plate member disposable between a sole member of a ski boot and a ski member, first locking means manually releasably connecting said base plate member to one of said other members and second locking means automatically releasably connecting said base plate member to the other of said other members, said first locking means including at least two manually engageable elements located respectively on said base plate member and said one of said other members, said second locking means including respective spring-loaded locking elements mutually opposing one another in longitudinal direction of said ski member, said second locking means being received in one of said base plate and said other of said other members, at least one of said locking elements extending into a recessed space forming a reduced part of said one member wherein said second locking means are received, coupling elements cooperating with said locking elements wherein said locking means are received, said coupling elements extending substantially perpendicularly from the other of said base plate and said other of said other members and having respective surfaces facing toward said locking elements, said surfaces extending transversely to said longitudinal direction of said ski member and being curved with respect to a common center of curvature, and a tubular housing for receiving a safety line being located laterally adjacent said second locking means in said member containing said second locking means, said safety line being yieldably maintained in said tubular housing by a helical spring surrounding said safety line, said safety line having a free end secured to said memBer carrying said coupling elements.
 17. Safety ski binding according to claim 16, wherein a pin serves as rear coupling element in travel direction of said ski member, said pin being formed with a central longitudinal bore and having a free end, said free end of said safety line extending into said bore of said pin though said free end of said pin and being anchored in said bore.
 18. Safety ski binding according to claim 16, said second locking means including at least one cylindrical housing, and a compression spring disposed in said housing, said compression spring being biased against a respective one of said locking elements, said one locking element extending out of said housing at one end thereof and being displaceably guidable in longitudinal direction in said housing, and including annular projections extending laterally from the housings of both of said locking means, said annular projections being connected to said tubular housing for said safety line.
 19. Safety ski binding according to claim 18, wherein said tubular housing is constructed and dimensioned as a reinforcing element for said sole member.
 20. Safety ski binding according to claim 18, wherein said tubular housing is constructed and dimensioned as a reinforcing element for said base plate member.
 21. Safety ski binding comprising a rigid base plate member disposable between a sole member of a ski boot and a ski member, first locking means manually releasably connecting said base plate member to one of said other members and second locking means automatically releasably connecting said base plate member to the other of said other members, said first locking means including at least two manually engageable elements located respectively on said base plate member and said one of said other members, said second locking means including respective spring-loaded locking elements mutually opposing one another in longitudinal direction of said ski member, said second locking means being received in one of said base plate and said other of said other members, at least one of said locking elements extending into a recessed space forming a reduced part of said one member wherein said second locking means are received, coupling elements cooperating with said locking elements wherein said locking means are received, said coupling elements extending substantially perpendicularly from the other of said base plate and said other of said other members and having respective surfaces facing toward said locking elements, said surfaces extending transversely to said longitudinal direction of said ski member and being curved with respect to a common center of curvature, said second locking means being contained in said sole member, and said base plate being formed of metal and being covered with an outsole formed of rubber.
 22. Safety ski binding comprising a rigid base plate member disposable between a sole member of a ski boot and a ski member, first locking means manually releasably connecting said base plate member to one of said other members and second locking means automatically releasably connecting said base plate member to the other of said other members, said first locking means including at least two manually engageable elements located respectively on said base plate member and said one of said other members, said second locking means including respective spring-loaded locking elements mutually opposing one another in longitudinal direction of said ski member, said second locking means being received in one of said base plate and said other of said other members, at least one of said locking elements extending into a recessed space forming a reduced part of said one member wherein said second locking means are received, coupling elements cooperating with said locking elements wherein said locking means are received, said coupling elements extending substantially perpendicularly from the other of said base plate and said other of said other members and having respective surfaces facing toward saiD locking elements, said surfaces extending transversely to said longitudinal direction of said ski member and being curved with respect to a common center of curvature, said second locking means being contained in said sole member, and said base plate being formed of metal and being covered with an outsole formed of rubber, said sole being formed with a recess located above said annular disc and opening toward the rear edge of said sole.
 23. Safety ski binding comprising a rigid base plate member disposable between a sole member of a ski boot and a ski member, first locking means manually releasably connecting said base plate member to one of said other members and second locking means automatically releasably connecting said base plate member to the other of said other members, said first locking means including at least two manually engageable elements located respectively on said base plate member and said one of said other members, said second locking means including respective spring-loaded locking elements mutually opposing one another in longitudinal direction of said ski member, said second locking means being received in one of said base plate and said other of said other members, at least one of said locking elements extending into a recessed space forming a reduced part of said one member wherein said second locking means are received, coupling elements cooperating with said locking elements, wherein said locking means are received, said coupling elements extending substantially perpendicularly from the other of said base plate and said other of said other members and having respective surfaces facing toward said locking elements, said surfaces extending transversely to said longitudinal direction of said ski member and being curved with respect to a common center of curvature, and including slide rails for manually releasably connecting said base plate member to said ski member, said slide rails being fastened to said ski and overlapping a tongue on said base plate. 